I myself have asked the same question when watching others perform high kicks the wrong way, at least in my opinion.

My kicking got better when I started training Judo/Jiu-jitsu. I saw it in a different perspective. So in some ways I have changed my kicking style to better compete with grapplers(Jiujitsu,Judo, Wrestling) or better said I've modified my kicking style to better defend/compete/spar/fight anything thrown my way except a gun

Could not say as was not there myself when the techniques were first used/invented. Refuse to believe that HIGH only appeared for the very, very first time ever in the last fifty years. Not buying it...

Get hit by someone, doing ANY technique effectively... its going to hurt, hopefully stop the situation period. To me, the high stuff requires too much effort, energy and maintenance...

Low far easier, less effort. Aging has not gotten any easier, and unlikely our martial predecessors were trying to somehow unhorse some the hardest way imaginable... :lol:

You are probably right, but even so, I'm not buying the basic premise. HIGH preexisted the modern age...Jeff

Kicking to the lower body vs. the head:1. is much faster2. is much harder to block3. is stronger4. compromises your balance much less5. allows you to be in a better defensive posture while delivering the technique

You may think that kicking someone in the head is great because it can be a KO, but many kicks such as a Muay Thai style to the thigh will leave your opponent a sitting duck with severely diminished balance.